The Exalt [Cultivation Fantasy]

On top of the mountain was a cozy setup of a clean table with several chairs. Oscar felt the frigid winds of the tundra disappear when he set foot on the platform, looking up at the clear night sky, devoid of the obscure snow clouds, with countless stars adorning it like jewels. The view from the top made Oscar feel a sense of liberation as this was finally the end of these two long weeks.

Great Elder Robert welcomed Oscar, Mary, Serena, and Lucy to the mountaintop and gestured for them to sit and enjoy some freshly brewed tea. As they sipped the calming tea and felt the warmth fill their bodies, they all let out large puffs of white breath with satisfaction. Robert smiled and tapped his cup to get their attention. "As I said earlier, congratulations. Present your items."

Oscar took out the three items. On the table were the Frost Orb, a large round sapphire marble that granted resistance to the blue frost; the Azure Feather, a hard golden feather that gave the power of low flight above the ground; and the Snowbell Fruit, a green bell-shaped fruit that let out an aroma that would attract the Nixagle and cause it to be drunk.

"Oscar Terr and Mary Jones have all three items. They have passed." Ava Jones announced with a hint of pride laden in her voice. Her eyes couldn't help but focus on Mary, who sighed at her aunt's attention.

Serena took out the same items they gathered from their region of the tundra. She couldn't contain her delight from spilling into a wide smile, looking as charming as a saintly angel.

Elder Dustin looked over the items and said, "Serena Fulgir and Lucy Maine have passed."

Great Elder Robert nodded in satisfaction. He had watched their progress through the entire way to this mountain but sighed upon thinking about Edward and Adam. "Normally, if they could still climb up, they could have challenged you for the extra items you have, but they were incapacitated to the point where it's a moot point. Thus, their rewards shall be split amongst you all."

Oscar and the others immediately perked up at the idea of the rewards. Although Oscar wasn't greedy to try to deter other teams so he could gain more rewards, he wouldn't reject a free opportunity if it fell on his lap. Edward's and Adam's downfall was from their own actions and instigations; though he didn't like having more enemies, it had already happened, and he could only prepare for the future.

Great Elder Robert waved his hand, and six trays appeared on the table in front of each student and two empty chairs. These trays contained a vial of moonlight liquid, a token with an arrow pointing up, and a golden trident badge that looked similar to their student token but had a blue outline around its edges and two tridents crossing in the center. "The vial is the Grade Two Ein Burst elixir, an extra one for your use. The token with the arrow is for a free Grade Two spell but one that is an upgrade of a spell you already know. The badge is your Inner Hall badge; it's not something you have to wear, but show it to access the Inner Hall and other facilities meant for Inner Hall students. Let me say once again. Congratulations! You all are now Inner Hall students. Stick your chest out with pride, and do not besmirch your new rank."

Oscar held the badge with incredulity. After so long, he had finally made it here to the place that seemed so far away. A sense of pride, accomplishment, but most of all, relief, filled Oscar's mind.

The other two elders smiled upon seeing the students react to their accomplishments. Though, Mary stared at her badge with a hint of hesitation, which did not escape Ava's notice.

"Don't forget, we still have the unclaimed rewards." Great Elder Robert pointed at the unowned trays which floated in front of the two teams. "Each team can take one extra tray. How you want to divide it is up to you."

Oscar looked at the tray and then at Mary. Her eyes stared at him back. Oscar pointed at the tray and asked, "Do you want the elixir or the token?"

"You did most of the work on our way here. I don't mind you wanting the first pick." Mary sighed. She barely made it to the tundra and was sure she would have lost if Oscar hadn't picked her as his partner. "As gratitude for helping me throughout this journey, I'll concede."

Oscar nodded and didn't try to talk her out of it. Her words were clear and without any guilt or doubt. He eyed the two things and finally settled on one. "I'll take this."

In his hand was the upgrade token for a learned spell. Oscar felt he did not need the extra Ein Burst Elixir since he already had one from Elder Saul's mission, but his combat ability could be far better if he could save points on upgrading his spells. Although he had to be an Elite Exalt to learn grade two spells, Oscar felt it wasn't that far off with more accumulation of elixirs and training; he needed more because of his Grade Four, but he was already ahead by being in the Inner Hall.

"Then I'll take the Ein Burst Elixir." Mary had a grateful look on her face. Her main concern was progressing higher, and this extra elixir was a great start.

"Then it is settled." Robert stroked his beard as the students divided their spoils. "I will teleport you all back."

A familiar shining light glowed all around the platform. Oscar gripped his Inner Hall badge tightly as they vanished.

Oscar's vision shifted back to the main hall of the Spire of Ascension, where the strange man directed him to the test location. Suddenly, he felt paper in his hand and stared down in confusion at the letter that wasn't there before.

"This is a letter from Draven." Robert's voice transmitted into Oscar's mind. "He said to give it to you after you pass. Do what you want, do be careful of overusing your Reis."

Oscar nodded and bowed to Great Elder Robert, who smiled gently and departed.

On the side, Ava Jones pulled Mary aside. The two of them were silent, finding it tough to find the words to speak to one another.

Mary was about to speak when Ava lowered her head unexpectedly. She was confused at this sudden action.

"I'm sorry." Ava Jones sounded in pain. "I'm sorry for how we treated you after finding out you were a Grade Five. I realize now that we showered you with pity, not support, and in that way, we gave off the impression we had given up on you."

Ava Jones had ample time to figure it out and realized just how wrong the Jones family was. She looked at Mary with an apologetic look.

Mary cleared her throat and said shakily, "Every time you, mom, and others came by to tell me that it was alright and I didn't need to be a great Exalt, it felt like an arrow to my heart. Like you all were making light of me and trying to discourage me. It hurt so much whenever I saw people looking at me with pity, saying I didn't need to try so hard, as if my efforts were not worth anything."

Ava Jones remained silent as Mary continued her words. She bit her lips, knowing this was her fault and Mary was an unfortunate victim.

"So, I kept diving headlong like crazy, and I was quite reckless to attempt this exam. But I'm glad I took it. Not because I passed, I know I only managed to scrap by thanks to Oscar, but because I finally realized the truth. I don't need to think about your expectations, whether they're high or low. I should be trying to meet only one person's expectation, and that's me." Mary smiled brightly. "After my battle with Oscar, I felt like a haze went out in my mind. He fought on as a Grade Four, yet he seemed so free and confident. I want to be like that, which can't happen if I'm chained down with constant thoughts of the Jones Family."

"So what do you want to do? Split away from our family." Ava looked sad, but Mary hugged her. She was surprised as her niece had been detached for a while, but she welcomed her small embrace and returned it.

"You're still my family. I won't be running away, but I'll no longer stress over trying to prove you all wrong. I'm asking you to watch me and see how far I'll go. Whether I'll surprise you or not, who knows? But I'll go each step freely." Mary smiled.

"This wayward niece." Ava rustled Mary's hair and pinched her cheek. "Fine, if you need help, ask. But I'll watch you with pride."

To the side, they heard a commotion as Oscar peeled away from Serena's loving hug. Ava Jones laughed and said, "What do you think about him?"

Mary looked irritated at her aunt's teasing. "I'm not in love or anything. I don't have time for that. He's someone I respect and look up to. But, she's getting out of hand."

Mary went forward and grabbed Serena from behind.

"Little pint?!" Serena was trapped in Mary's tight hug. "What are you doing?!"

Mary smiled and said, "Oscar, you can leave. I'll hold her back."

"Thanks!" Oscar waved goodbye and ran out of the Spire. He ran under the night sky toward the Neptune Archives, looking back to ensure he wasn't being followed.

He entered inside and went to see Celestina reading in their usual spot. "I'm back."

Celestina popped her head out of the book with a grin. Her dazzling emerald eyes shimmered, expectant of Oscar's news. "How did you do?"

Oscar took out the Inner Hall badge. "I passed!"

"Congratulations!" Celestina closed her book and zoomed to Oscar, who nearly tripped, looking at the badge to confirm its validity. "You're in the Inner Hall now, so you know what that means?"

"Naturally." Oscar pointed up.

Celestina led Oscar upstairs to a gate that blocked the second floor. She showed her badge, and it opened to let her through.

Oscar held up his new Inner Hall badge and walked through without an issue. Upstairs, he saw amazing gilded bookcases filled with ancient books of all kinds and piles of scrolls waiting to be unfurled.

"The second floor of the Neptune Archives. We can finally read up here." Celestina smiled and tugged Oscar to a table.

Oscar had his breath taken away as he mumbled, "Incredible."